United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents A Summary in Cartoons
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United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents A Summary in Cartoons
Acknowledgements This publication has been produced by Zoï Environment Network in collaboration with the Secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (UNECE TEIA) with generous support of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Cartoons: Ruslan Valitov (Zoï Environment Network) Text: Geoff Hughes (Zoï Environment Network) Concept: Viktor Novikov and Aman Berdiev (Zoï Environment Network) Contributors: Bernard Gay (Switzerland), Gunnar Hem (Norway), Otto Simonett (Zoï Environment Network), Laura Meszaros, Virginia Fusé, Claudia Kamke, Nikolay Savov, Franziska Ilg (U NECE) Layout: Maria Libert (Zoï Environment Network) The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents promotes international cooperation in the prevention and preparedness necessary to protect humans, property and the environment against the consequences of industrial accidents. The Convention defines its terms carefully, and specifies what is and is not covered by the agreement. It also promotes mutual assistance between countries in responding to accidents, should they occur. It furthermore provides a platform for international cooperation through exchange of experience, information and technology. These cartoons aim to explain the technical topics, to help readers understand the field of application of the Convention and its basic principles and to encourage countries outside the Convention to join or to apply the principles on their own.
When does the Convention apply? When does the Convention not apply? How does the Convention help prevent industrial accidents? How does the Convention help prepare for industrial accidents? How does the Convention help respond to industrial accidents? What else does the Convention facilitate? What are responsibilities of Parties? How can a country become a Party?
The release of toxic substances is one of the most common accidents covered by the Convention. The Convention requirements apply to hazardous activities where there are toxic substances in amounts sufficient to threaten human safety (Article 2).
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Another common accident covered by the Convention is an explosion or large fire that threatens human safety, property or the environment (Article 2). Natural hazards could pose a significant risk to industrial installations in some locations and these are also covered by the Convention, with certain exceptions.
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Accidents at nuclear power stations or involving radioactive waste are not covered by the Convention (Article 2, paragraph 2a), even if they are caused by natural disasters.
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The Convention does not cover dam failures or spills of oil or other harmful substances at sea (Article 2, paragraphs 2c, 2f and 2g).
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The Convention does not cover military accidents (Article 2, paragraph 2b).
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While the Convention does not cover land-based transportation accidents, it does cover transportation at the site of a hazardous activity (Article 2, paragraph 2d). The Convention covers the response to transportation accidents, even if these happened outside an industrial facility.
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Even though the accidental release of genetically modified organisms may cause serious economic damage to farmers or human health in the long term, the Convention does not cover such releases (Article 2, paragraph 2e).
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Tailing management facilities that are a part of an industrial facility and may be subject to accidents with transboundary implications.
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The proximity of industrial facilities to a border, within 15 km, does not necessarily mean that the Convention applies. The quantity and type of substances, listed in Annex I of the Convention, at a facility are important considerations, and many industrial activities are not covered by the Convention (Article 4).
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The Convention applies to industrial activities located on or nearby rivers when those activities involve hazardous substances that meet the Convention’s criteria for quantity and when the substances may reach the border within 48 hours. Countries can issue their own regulations prescribing the requirements for industrial activities not covered by the Convention (Article 4).
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The countries are responsible for identifying existing or proposed hazardous activities in their jurisdictions, and for notifying potentially affected countries of any such activities (Article 4). Together countries can come to the mutual understanding if the industrial activity falls under the Convention or not.
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Prevention requires officials to develop legal frameworks and regulations and to maintain records and databases. Qualified professionals evaluate risk and develop action plans. Technical experts apply good practices, provide education and training to those engaged in hazardous activities and periodically inspect facilities. Together these activities contribute to prevention of industrial accidents and continuously improve regulations, risk analysis and safety conditions (Article 6).
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The Convention encourages countries to establish policies for the siting of hazardous activities in ways that minimize the risks of all affected Parties. Similarly, the Convention encourages affected Parties to establish policies that minimize the risks related to significant developments in areas potentially affected by an industrial accident (Article 7).
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The member countries of the Convention are responsible for maintaining emergency preparedness and for developing on-site and off-site contingency plans to prevent and minimize transboundary effects of industrial accidents. Neighbouring countries make their plans available to each other, try to make the plans compatible and sometimes develop joint plans (Article 8).
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In the event or imminent threat of an industrial accident with transboundary implications, countries use established industrial accident notification system to alert other affected countries, and all those concerned activate their contingency plans (Article 10).
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The Convention encourages countries to set up financial and technical plans and procedures for mutual assistance. These mutual assistance plans are especially helpful when one country has special expertise or technology, and when two or more countries share a common resource such as a lake, a river or a forest (Article 12).
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The public may petition industry to consider its concerns. Industry may use such means as the mass media, posters, special hearings and regular public reporting to communicate the risks to the public, and should take specific measures for vulnerable groups as the elderly, the disabled and the young (Article 9).
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The exchange of information, experience and technology helps the countries understand each other’s regulations and specific circumstances, and encourages the adoption of new technology and best practices (Articles 15 and 16).
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Countries appoint one or more competent authorities – usually ministries associated with the environment, disasters, industrial safety or human health – to help implement the Convention, and designate points of contact for notification of accidents and for mutual assistance. Non-Parties to the Convention may find this structure useful (Article 17).
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The responsibility for implementation rests with the countries, the Conference of the Parties and the secretariat (Article 23). The Convention’s Assistance Programme and donors offer important support.
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Sticking with the basics ensures success.
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